A nationwide network of Technology Gateways, capable of delivering technology-based solutions for companies in Ireland was launched by Seán Sherlock T.D. Minister for Research & Innovation in Thomond Park, Limerick. Waterford Institute of Technology hosts three of these Technology Gateways; SEAM, PMBRC and MSTG (TSSG). Each Technology Gateway provides technology solutions in the form of mobile services, pharmaceutical and healthcare services and biomedical devices.

This is a €23million investment by Government through Enterprise Ireland in 12 Technology Gateways located in 8 Institutes of Technology; Athlone IT, Cork Institute of Technology, Dublin Institute of Technology, IT Tallaght, IT Tralee, Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Limerick Institute of Technology and Waterford Institute of Technology.

Designed to act as the ‘R&D arm’ of companies, the Technology Gateways will focus on delivering technology solutions through collaborative projects with the research teams in the Institutes of Technology.

Launching the Technology Gateway Network Minister Sherlock said, “The Government’s primary goal is to generate growth and create employment in towns and cities around Ireland. The Technology Gateway Network will give companies all over Ireland access to technology solutions for their business challenges. Enterprise Ireland’s involvement in this process ensures the commercial value of these solutions can be converted into new products and services so that quality employment opportunities can be grown and maintained”.

Between the three Technology Gateways based in WIT, they have engaged with companies such as O2, Feedhenry, FastForm, Honeywell, Shivo along with Pinewood Healthcare, Waters Technologies and Genzyme.

Speaking at the event, Declan Lyons, Enterprise Ireland explained that Technology Gateways will connect the research and innovation capabilities of the Institutes of Technology to the companies that need novel technology solutions.

“Enterprise Ireland and the teams in the Technology Gateways are committed to solving the technical challenges faced by companies in their efforts to develop new products and services. The beauty of this network is that if one Gateway doesn’t have the answer, they can put out a call to the other 11 in the network to find it” concluded Lyons.